Tomato and Cantaloupe Shrub

With the exception of the Bloody Mary, tomatoes are hardly a star ingredient in cocktails. But the humble fruit is making its way into bars across the country, thanks to its sweet and savory properties and distinct summer flavor. The shrub, a fruit-flavored vinegar mixed with alcohol, soda, or water, is also on the rise, and this particular version is an excellent introduction to the cocktail. Sweetened with honey and filled with fresh tomatoes, cantaloupe, and basil, it’s the most refreshing drink you’ll make all summer. Consider it a starting point for your own experiments with shrubs, which you can drink year-round as you switch up the flavors.

With the exception of the Bloody Mary, tomatoes are hardly a star ingredient in cocktails. But the humble fruit is making its way into bars across the country, thanks to its sweet and savory properties and distinct summer flavor. The shrub, a fruit-flavored vinegar mixed with alcohol, soda, or water, is also on the rise, and this particular version is an excellent introduction to the cocktail. Sweetened with honey and filled with fresh tomatoes, cantaloupe, and basil, it’s the most refreshing drink you’ll make all summer. Consider it a starting point for your own experiments with shrubs, which you can drink year-round as you switch up the flavors.

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Ingredients

2 cups halved heirloom cherry tomatoes

2 cups chopped cantaloupe

12 ounces (1½ cups) gin or vodka

½ cup torn fresh basil leaves

¼ cup Champagne vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

32 ounces (4 cups) club soda

Nutritional Information

Calories 198

Fat 0g

Sat fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg

Sodium 45mg

Protein 1g

Carbohydrate 13g

Sugar 11g

Fiber 1g

Iron 0mg

Calcium 24mg

Calories 198

Fat 0g

Sat fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg

Sodium 45mg

Protein 1g

Carbohydrate 13g

Sugar 11g

Fiber 1g

Iron 0mg

Calcium 24mg

How to Make It

Step 1

Combine tomatoes, cantaloupe, gin, basil, vinegar, and honey in a bowl. Chill 8 hours, stirring occasionally. Place ice in each of 6 glasses. Pour about ⅔ cup club soda into each glass; top with about ⅓ cup chilled gin liquid mixture. Add desired amount of the tomato and cantaloupe pieces, and torn basil.